Grace Sustains: A Brief History of AGM

A Brief History of Abounding Grace

By Jonathan Del Rio (11/11/18)

I have a unique privilege of being part of Abounding Grace Ministries from the very beginning. This memory, or rather historical perspective, is certainly not about me, other than it happens to have been seen through my eyes. The majority of my life, almost 36 years, has been lived as part of this ministry.

Romans 5:20 states “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (KJV.) If you ever wondered where the name Abounding Grace comes from, this is it.

Abounding Grace Ministries has never been the prettiest, never been the most organized, has never had the most resources, it hasn’t ever owned its own building. But what it has been is gritty, raw, faithful, sacrificial, willing, trusting and content.

AGM 1.0

In its first decade, Abounding Grace was a street ministry that intentionally sought out the worst neighborhoods to live out what Jesus proclaims in Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,   because he has anointed me  to proclaim good news to the poor.   He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners   and recovery of sight for the blind,   to set the oppressed free”. There was a sincere belief and resolve that Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead was indeed the Good News that everyone needed to hear.

A decade of intense street ministry occurred in areas like 125th Street, 42nd Street, Union Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, Washington Square Park, Avenue D, etc, far before any of these areas experienced economic and social revitalization. Sometimes there were nice sized teams of volunteers, but many times it was just our family. Other times it was just my dad. No matter the size of the group, the objective was the same: to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ regardless of the season or the weather. We witnessed stabbings, fights, drug transactions, and encountered threatening people. Nevertheless, this was the foundation, the core of what this ministry was about. This phase of Abounding Grace Ministries has become affectionately labeled AGM 1.0.

AGM 2.0

In 1992, an entirely different aspect of the ministry would be established. The gritty street ministry became a gritty street church. Against conventional wisdom and without any consistent support we began as a congregation of ten. In thinking about this time, back when I was 16 years old, I can vividly recall the genuine, heartfelt excitement as we embarked on this journey as a family to this neighborhood, the Lower East Side, that I believe God placed an intense love for in each of our hearts. This neighborhood became our home away from home and eventually our actual home.

After almost five years of the church’s existence we would move out of our apartment in Brooklyn into the church building. We went from an eight bedroom home in New Jersey, to a three bedroom, comfortable apartment in Brooklyn, to a two bedroom apartment above our little humble church. In fact, Jamie and I, along with our three dogs, slept every night in the sanctuary on mattresses that were about an inch and a half thick. As a family we immersed ourselves into this neighborhood and as a church we began to establish ourselves as a little unconventional church that always did more than it should have been able to do (this characteristic hasn’t changed). This can be considered AGM 2.0.

AGM 3.0

The most beautiful aspect of AGM had always been seeing lives genuinely changed. And for every sad story there are the stories of people like our sister Mei Ling, our bold brother Rollie, our brother, and recently ordained pastor Luis Velez, people like Evelyn, Eddie Santiago, Eddie Milan, Efrain, Harold, Edgar and many others. In several years there will be stories and testimonies told about many of you.

In 1998 we would go through another phase of transformation from a small church in a brownstone style building to a growing church in a landmark building on Third Ave. and 7th street. This would be our home for the next decade or so. In typical Abounding Grace fashion we revitalized unused, dusty spaces, floors of space, to the point where our church served as a hub for missionaries to come and stay from all over. During moments of crisis in our country like 911, we had hundreds, if not thousands of partners come through our doors, sleeping on our floors, and eating at our tables in order to serve our city. Outreach remained a big part of our DNA as the church grew and new believers matured in the faith. Throughout the church’s existence we housed dozens of people in an effort to offer stability and see them develop. We used every square inch of space. We had a youth sanctuary, offices and fellowship rooms, the main sanctuary and the lower level for our coffee house ministry. It was growing and vibrant, yet we still maintained much of our rugged grittiness! This was AGM 3.0.

AGM 4.0

While challenges and trials were a regular occurrence as is always the case in life, we as a church entered a season of turmoil that truly could have ruined us. In the process many left, some betrayed, others just abandoned ship. In short, we entered a season in our existence where only God could have, and ultimately did, sustain us. While every aspect of the church was affected, he kept his hand on those that chose to remain. During the process amazing individuals emerged as reliable and dedicated leaders and workers. Pastor Lou, the elders and deacons have endured many hard, trying years and are some examples of these individuals. This season, AGM 4.0, would be our most difficult by far.

But those trying years brought us back east to the place where we began as a church, the Lower East Side. Here we are today, still without a building of our own, but vibrantly existing nonetheless. Twelve years and counting,  we have been meeting here in this school.  While not always practical or convenient,  it has proven to be a situation that is a blessing.

AGM 5.0

But those trying years brought us back east to the place where we began as a church, the Lower East Side. Here we are today, still without a building of our own, but vibrantly existing nonetheless. 12 years and counting,  we have been meeting here in this school.  While not always practical or convenient,  it has proven to be a situation that is a blessing.

Since moving back,  much has happened. In 2017, a significant transition occurred.  As a son of the founding pastors,  I would be lying if I said it wasn’t sort of strange or even a bit difficult. Let me be clear though, it wasn’t strange or difficult in a bad way,  it was so simply because change can be just that. In November of 2017, on the 25th anniversary of the church, the passing of the baton of the church leadership went from my parents to Pastor Lou. I must say, it was done with such an abundance of grace,  care, unity, and love. It was actually the culmination of a plan that began 5 years prior, during the 20th anniversary. This was the beginning of AGM 5.0.

Facing the Future

As I reflect on the years,  all 26 that the church had been in existence, I could attest to the fact,  that while certain things may change,  the people,  locations,  expressions and modes of ministry,  etc, one thing has truly remained.  That is the heart of the ministry is still to share the Good News to those that need to hear it.

As someone who has been part of this ministry from the beginning I think I have a unique way to analyze this transition of leadership.  The reality is that in this country the are many pastoral situations,  positions,  and opportunities that are far more appealing in terms of comfort and financial gain. The mere fact that Pastor Lou has taken on this role here at AGM despite his broad network of churches,  ministries and pastors, at least some of which could have afforded him more lucrative opportunities, is a testimony to me that he is obediently responding to the call of God on his life to this house.

In addition, his family, wife and son,  share a commitment to this church and neighborhood, as is demonstrated by their support,  presence, and work as well. The role of a pastor’s wife may be the one role for difficult than being pastor itself.  So thank you to Lorena and mom for allowing your husbands to do what they do. Some pastors choose the profession of pastor and some are called by God for that role. I believe wholeheartedly that all the of our pastors are chosen by God to do this task.  It is for that reason that I personally was on board with the transition of leadership.

As we move forward I believe God is preparing us for unprecedented times as our culture proudly and defiantly falls farther from God. But I am confident that we, here at Abounding Grace, can and will stand as a beacon of light and hope as we represent our Lord.